Almost-Universal Voucher Bill (SB 85) Would Come At High Cost

Ohio Republican State Senator Matt Huffman has introduced a bill (SB 85) that would provide almost universal school vouchers across Ohio.

The Legislative Service Commission (LSC) estimates that 74% of Ohio students would be eligible to participate under the terms of the SB 85 voucher proposal. The LSC Fiscal Note and Local Impact Statement indicates if all students would opt for vouchers the net cost to the state would be $1.19 billion per year. Further, the LSC Note states, “Participation rates between 2.5% and 10% result in net annual state costs ranging from $45 million to $133 million.”

Private schools in Ohio already receive more state funds per pupil than scores of public schools.

Ohio’s constitutional responsibility is to secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools and has no constitutional directive to provide vouchers or privately-operated charters.

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William L. Phillis, Ohio Coalition for Equity & Adequacy of School Funding